Mapping Your Water Footprint

by Matt Ball on March 15, 2012

Students at the Harvard Graduate School of Design have compiled an online map that takes a look at the “water footprint” of countries around the world. The data visualization compiles data on water consumption as well as the hidden water content in consumer goods in order to determine the differing amount of water consumed per person as well as the water supply.

The site takes into account the amount of water it takes to produce such consumer goods as beverages, fast food, clothing, and footwear as well as the agricultural requirements of different agricultural crops and livestock.

Data for the visualization comes largely from reports produced by the Pacific Institute, which has a long history of looking at the world’s water issues, including their biennial series of reports on The World’s Water.